Pivotable outlet insertable in plumbing

ABSTRACT

An insertable, pivotable water outlet for plumbing systems permitting changes from the tub to shower positions, said pivotable outlet being provided with a spring actuated valve, said valve being held in the proper position by water pressure.

United States Patent 1191 Amblank Oct. 15, 1974 [54] PIVOTABLE OUTLET INSERTABLE IN 1,666,531 4/1928 Glauber 4/148 PLUMBING 1,763,877 6/1930 Bowlzer 1 137/6255 2,790,632 4/1957 Melletle 137/801 X Inventor: Robert Amblank, Beinwil Am S 1086.748 4/1963 Reincmann 137/119 Switzerland 73 Assignee: Aktiengesellschaft Oederlin & Cie. FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Armaturenwerk Wettingen, 121,950 0/1901 Germany 251/353 Wettingen, Switzerland 1 1 Filedl 1973 Primary Examiner-Robert G. Nilson I2] 1 AppL NOJ 339,807 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Lawrence Rosen; E. Janet Berry [30) Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 13. 1972 Switzerland 3667/72 [57] ABSTRACT U-S. 19, An insertable pivotable water outlet for Sys- 251/ 353 terns permitting changes from the tub to shower posi- [5 Cl. tions aid pivotable utlet being provided a [58] Fleld of Search 4/148; 137/] 467, 625-5, spring actuated valve, said valve being held in the 137/801; 251/353 proper position by water pressure.

[56] References Cited 6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1,091,552 3/1914 Westerberg 251/353 X PIVOTABLE OUTLET INSERTABLE IN PLUMBING The present invention concerns a pivotable outlet insertable in a plumbing system with tub outlet and shower connection.

Plumbing systems are known which comprise a fixed tub outlet and a connection for a shower and which are provided with a spring-loaded, changeover organ. The latter makes it possible to change from the tub outlet to shower while the water pressure is reduced.

It is also known to provide the plumbing system with a pivotable outlet for the tub and to operate the shower by means of a separate faucet or valve. The present invention has the object of creating a pivotable outlet insertable in a plumbing system which is exchangeable without effort, also by the layman, and which not only permits a pivoting of the outlet about a normally vertical axis, but also makes it possible to direct the tub outlet against the tub wall and thus to avoid the unpleasant noise of the outflowing water jet into the tub.

According to the invention, a pivotable outlet designed according to these goals is provided, wherein the changeover from tub to shower occurs while the tub outlet is running by moving a valve counter to the force of a spring; and after the changeover the water pressure holds the valve in the shower position and the tub flow occurs through the valve and its actuating element, which element is further arranged pivotably in addition to the pivotability of the outlet to vary the tub outflow direction. The entire outlet being designed in such a way that the changeover valve permits a pivoting and turning as well as letting the water pass and flow out into the tub or shower.

An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an axial section through a pivotable outlet insertable in a plumbing system, and

FIG. 2 shows a view onto the outlet, as per FIG. I, seen from the operating side.

The pivotable outlet 1 shown presents a connecting piece 3 which is provided with grooves 5 to receive ring packings. Between the two grooves there is a limiting slot 7 extending over a part of the circumference, which allows the pivoting outlet 1 to pivot in the intended angular range. In FIG. 1 is also shown a valve housing 9, which is connected with the connecting piece 3 for example by brazing. On the opposite side of the connecting piece 3 of the housing 9 is a threaded nipple 11 for connecting a shower. Said nipple is connected with the interior of the valve housing 9 via a bore 13. The interior of the valve housing 9 is provided with two mutually opposite valve seats 15 and 16, which cooperate with a valve body 17, which comprises a valve plate 18. The valve body 17 is secured to a valve spindle 20. A closing spring 22 lies with its one end on a spring plate 23 of the valve body 17 and with the other on a spring bearing 25 of the valve housing 9. An outflow sleeve 27 is rotatably mounted in the valve housing 9, the seal between the two parts being insured by means of a packing ring 29, which lies in a housing groove 30. The outflow sleeve 27 is also provided with a limiting groove 32, which limits its angle of rotation, a stop screw 33 inserted in the housing 9 protruding into the limiting groove 32 and fixing the two end positions in pivoting. On the outflow sleeve 27 is mounted a turning handle 35, in which the end of the valve spindle is fitted and which is provided with a threaded outlet piece 36. This piece 36 serves to receive an outflow nozzle 38 of thetub outlet.

The pivoting outlet 1 can be pushed into a piece of a mixing pipe such as modern mixing systems have. A corresponding screw in the mixing pipe is screwed in until it protrudes into the limiting groove 7 of the connecting piece 3. The seal occurs by the two 0 rings in the grooves 5. The outlet is pivotable about the axis of the connecting piece 3 within a predetermined range. Now when the water faucets are opened at the plumbing system, the water flows through the connecting piece 3, the valve housing 9, past the valve body 17 and valve plate 18, which rests on the valve seat 15 and is held in this position by the closing spring 22, and through the outlet sleeve 27 and turning handle 35 through the outlet nozzle 38 into the tub. By pivoting the outlet, the nozzle 38 can be brought into the zone of the tub wall. Here additionally the handle 35 can be turned so that the outflowing jet gets to the tub wall practically without noise and flows down along it.

If it is desired to switch to the shower position, the turning handle 35 is pulled in a direction away from the outlet, whereby, counter to the pressure of the closing spring 22, the valve plate 18 is lifted off the valve seat 15 and pulled onto the opposite valve seat 16. The prevailing water pressure now presses the valve body 17 with the valve plate 18 onto the valve seat 16, so that the water passes through bore 13 into the shower. lf the water pressure drops below a predetermined value, or if the water is turned off, the closing spring 22 pushes the valve plate 18 back onto the valve 15, so that with the next opening of the water it flows out through the tub outlet.

The pivotable outlet described constitutes a unit eas ily exchangeable by the layman, the changeover organ for the shower and tob positions being at the same time lodged in the pivot arm and the changeover handle still making it possible to turn the tub outlet nozzle against the tub wall. Thus two pivot movements about two mutually perpendicular axes are possible, and this leaves great freedom with respect to the adjustment position of the tub jet.

The described combination is of very simple construction and therefore very safe in operation and inexpensive this being an influential characteristic property for such fittings. It is extremely compact and therefore can be effectively cleaned in a short time. It takes up little space in the bath tub and permits a low noise outflow despite a strong jet an extremely valued property in hotels and apartment buildings.

What is claimed is: l. A plumbing fitting for use in tub and shower, or the like use, comprising:

a body; an inlet to said body; a valve chamber in said body to which said inlet is connected; said body having a first outlet communicating with and connected to said valve chamber; said body having a separate second outlet communicating with and connected to said valve chamber; valve means in said valve chamber, including a valve element for selectively blocking one of said first and said second outlets; means for shifting said valve element for said selective blocking; said first outlet terminating in an outflow sleeve, which said sleeve is supported on said fitting body and through which said sleeve the liquid from said first outlet exits; said sleeve having an exit outlet opening; said sleeve being pivotally supported on said body to be pivotable with respect to said body about a first axis; said sleeve outlet opening being directed transversely to said first axis, whereby pivoting of said sleeve redirects exit flow through said opening; said sleeve being connected with and comprising part of said means for shifting said valve element; said sleeve being shiftable with respect to said body, thereby to shift said valve element; whereby movements of said sleeve can control direction of flow through said first outlet opening and can determine through which of said first and said second outlets the exit flow passes. 2. The plumbing fitting of claim 1, further comprising a spring biasing said valve element toward the position at which said first outlet is opened; said valve element being so shaped that when it is shifted to block said first outlet, pressure of liquid passing out said second outlet holds said valve element against said spring and keeps said first outlet closed.

3. The plumbing fitting of claim 1, wherein said sleeve is shiftable along said first axis for operating said valve element, and said valve element being positioned to cause said selective blocking upon such said shifting of said sleeve.

4. The plumbing fitting of claim 3, further comprising a valve element drive shaft joining said sleeve and said valve element for transmitting sleeve shifting to said valve element.

5.The plumbing fitting of claim 4,-further comprising a spring biasing said valve element toward the position at which said first outlet is opened; said valve element being so shaped that when it is shifted to block said first outlet, pressure of liquid passing out said second outlet holds said valve element against said spring and keeps said first outlet closed.

6. The plumbing fitting of claim 3, wherein said sleeve comprises a plug connection and said fitting body includes means for receiving said plug connection; said plug connection being rotatable with respect to said fitting for causing said sleeve pivoting about said first axis; means for retaining said plug connection in said body while permitting rotation of said plug connection with respect to said body. 

1. A plumbing fitting for use in tub and shower, or the like use, comprising: a body; an inlet to said body; a valve chamber in said body to which said inlet is connected; said body having a first outlet communicating with and connected to said valve chamber; said body having a separate second outlet communicating with and connected to said valve chamber; valve means in said valve chamber, including a valve element for selectively blocking one of said first and said second outlets; means for shifting said valve element for said selective blocking; said first outlet terminating in an outflow sleeve, which said sleeve is supported on said fitting body and through which said sleeve the liquid from said first outlet exits; said sleeve having an exit outlet opening; said sleeve being pivotally supported on said body to be pivotable with respect to said body about a first axis; said sleeve outlet opening being directed transversely to said first axis, whereby piVoting of said sleeve redirects exit flow through said opening; said sleeve being connected with and comprising part of said means for shifting said valve element; said sleeve being shiftable with respect to said body, thereby to shift said valve element; whereby movements of said sleeve can control direction of flow through said first outlet opening and can determine through which of said first and said second outlets the exit flow passes.
 2. The plumbing fitting of claim 1, further comprising a spring biasing said valve element toward the position at which said first outlet is opened; said valve element being so shaped that when it is shifted to block said first outlet, pressure of liquid passing out said second outlet holds said valve element against said spring and keeps said first outlet closed.
 3. The plumbing fitting of claim 1, wherein said sleeve is shiftable along said first axis for operating said valve element, and said valve element being positioned to cause said selective blocking upon such said shifting of said sleeve.
 4. The plumbing fitting of claim 3, further comprising a valve element drive shaft joining said sleeve and said valve element for transmitting sleeve shifting to said valve element.
 5. The plumbing fitting of claim 4, further comprising a spring biasing said valve element toward the position at which said first outlet is opened; said valve element being so shaped that when it is shifted to block said first outlet, pressure of liquid passing out said second outlet holds said valve element against said spring and keeps said first outlet closed.
 6. The plumbing fitting of claim 3, wherein said sleeve comprises a plug connection and said fitting body includes means for receiving said plug connection; said plug connection being rotatable with respect to said fitting for causing said sleeve pivoting about said first axis; means for retaining said plug connection in said body while permitting rotation of said plug connection with respect to said body. 